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Macrocosm In Arcadia

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Paper 3 A main theme apparent in the play Arcadia is the concept of increasing entropy, the theory that objects will only decline from structure to chaos. Manifesting this theme through both the motif of human desire and the devolution of the structure of the play from order to disorder, Tom Stoppard suggests that the increase of entropy is apparent in microcosms as well as macrocosms. Stoppard uses human desire to create several relationships that decay over the course of the play as a metaphor for increasing entropy in the microcosm of Sidley Park. The play first introduces Mrs. Chater as the woman who was found in “carnal embrace” with Septimus (2). By starting the play with an affair, Stoppard introduces the idea that the free will of …show more content…

At the beginning of the play, the structure of the play is separated into two distinct timelines: one in the early 1800’s, one in modern day. Stoppard even tells us that “The action of the play shuttles back and forth between the early nineteenth century and the present day” (15). However, by the end of the play in scene 7, the distinction between the two timelines is blurred, with the past merging into the present as Lord Augustus is “chased into the [present-day] room” by Thomasina (77). The play proceeds to have both past and present characters interacting on set at the same time, transforming the once separate timelines into an intricate disorder. Stoppard chooses to structure his play in this way to parallel the increasing entropy of the characters’ relationships. Likewise, Stoppard uses the table present in both timelines as a depiction of increasing entropy on a small scale. At the beginning of the play, the table only has an “old-fashioned theodolite and also some other books stacked up”, which symbolizes order (1). However, during the course of the play, the table collects items as characters from both timelines set items upon it, and by the end of the play contains “the geometrical solids, the computer, decanter, glasses, tea mug, Hannah's research books, Septimus' books, the two

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